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Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the IlluminusFrom Sega Retro
Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus, called Phantasy Star Universe: Illuminus no Yabou (ファンタシースターユニバース イルミナスの野望) in Japan, is the first expansion of Sonic Team's internationally popular online RPG Phantasy Star Universe, available for the PC, PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 via the Xbox Live Arcade. Released initially in Japan on September 27, 2007, for PlayStation 2 and PC, subsequent territorial releases followed on November 20, 2007 along with an XBLA-exclusive Japanese release of the 360 port, when North America received the expansion for all three platforms. This date also marked the worldwide release of the Xbox 360 version as it was available for download through Microsoft's Xbox Live service. Europe received the PC and PlayStation 2 versions of Ambition of the Illuminus a few months later, on January 11, 2008, and finally it reached Australia on February 7, 2008. Although it is an expansion pack, the PC and PlayStation 2 versions of Ambition of the Illuminus are standalone and do not require the original game to play. The Xbox 360 version, however, does require the original disc due to the expansion being downloadable content. Continuing StoryAmbition of the Illuminus picks right up where the story left off in Phantasy Star Universe. Shortly after the defeat of Magashi and the Endrum Collective, a mysterious group known as the Illuminus have appeared, and threatens to exterminate all non-human races. The GUARDIANS themselves are under attack, and Ethan Waber is now wanted for an attempted assassination. Determined to find Ethan at any cost is GUARDIAN instructor, Laia Martinez. As a new GUARDIAN receiving guidance from Laia, you must search for Ethan and uncover the truth. A new series of online chapters introduced by the expansion, having completed their training and become full-fledged GUARDIANS, players take the reigns as instructors, passing on their knowledge to younger recruits all the while investigating the evil Illuminus organization. In addition, all of Episode 2 is available in the offline Story Mode on the PC and PlayStation 2 versions of the game, and limited edition collectables are given away as mission rewards, and some are given to your character at the beginning of the game. New FeaturesAmbition of the Illuminus introduced numerous new features to Phantasy Star Universe including new weapons, photon arts, missions, clothing, enemies and more. New weaponsFour new weapons categories were added with this expansion, giving players an even larger arsenal at their disposal as they continue their fight against the deadly SEED and human supremacist organization, the Illuminus.
New GUARDIANS typesBuilding on the original game's ten GUARDIANS types, Ambition of the Illuminus introduced two new types and promises at least three more in the near future.
New areasThe universe of Gurhal continues to grow as Ambition of the Illuminus has introduced numerous new areas, missions and lobbies to the system's three planets. A few areas of interest include the Habirao Forbidden District, a mysterious forest on Neudaiz filled with enormous mushrooms and an unusually high concentration of photon in the air, and Old Rozenom City, a once-thriving metropolis that was devastated by the crash landing of the GUARDIANS Colony, an act for which the Illuminus were responsible. In all, over twelve new areas have been added, including the forest, caves, mines and ruins, fan-favorites from Phantasy Star Online. While not running missions with other players, GUARDIANS can relax and chat with their friends in some of the expansion's new lobbies. These include Paracabana Coast, a beach front resort on Parum, Shitenkaku, a beautiful shrine at the summit of Neudaiz's Mt. Ohtoku, and Casino Voloyal, a popular casino in the Vio Tonga area of Moatoob. Discontinuation of the Online ServiceOn April 1, 2010 at 12:00 PDT, Sega of America shut down the online servers of the PlayStation 2 and PC versions of the game with warning at the start of the year. Starting late January, the game was made free to play for anyone who had a paying account in the past on the game and all subscriptions were cancelled. This lead to a gigantic burst in population in the universes, not seen since the release of the game. The Japanese PC version of the game is still available, but PlayStation 2 support was dropped in mid 2011 allowing the PC version to bring in new additions, items, armor, weapons and areas from Phantasy Star Portable 2 Production CreditsExecutive Supervisor: Hideki Okamura, Masanao Maeda, Kazihiro Yasutomi, Hideaki Morishita Planning SectionPlanning Director: Shintaro Hata Design SectionArt Director: Kosei Kitamura Programming SectionProgramming Director: Yasuhiro Takahashi Sound SectionSound Production: Sega Creative Center, Sound Section Save This World (Phantasy Star Universe Main Theme)Vocal: Kelli Sae Save This World Remix Version (Phantasy Star Universe Main Theme)Vocal & Lyric By: Runblebee With You (Phantasy Star Universe Ending Theme)Vocal: Lita Harvey For Brighter Day (Phantasy Star Universe Grand Ending Theme)Played By: Philippe Saisse, Acoustique Trio, Reaturing Kelli Sae Motion Capture: Sega Creative Center, Motion Capture Studio, Takeo Iwata, Hiroshi Tanaka, Shunkichi Yukitake, Kimiko Nakaizumi, Hitoshi Noda, Yukie Nagiwara, Haruna Mitsuhashi CG Movies: VE R&D Dept.Director: Takashi Nakashima CG Movie: Anima Inc.Director: Kazuya Sasahara CG Movie: Jet Studio Inc.Team Director: Atsushi Inoue CG Movie: Animaroid Inc.CG Director: Kiyonobu Kitada CG Movie: Sanzigen Inc.CG Designers: Yasuhiro Kato, Kazunobu Sano, Atsushi Nemoto, Hiroaki Matsura CG Movie: Laser-GraphicsCG Director: Toshiyuki Aoyama Modelling: Polygon Magic Inc.Project Manager: Hiroshi Suzuki Modelling: Flight Unit.Designers: Hiroyuki Matsumoto, Kaitzokuya, Ntny Modelling: Sega (Shabghai) Software Co. Ltd.Designers: Cheng Li, Mei Lin, Shao Mingzhu, Jin Huan, Li Muzhang, Bao Jiangang, Tang Xin, Gu Hong, Yu Xinyue Sega Of America Inc.CEO: Naoya Tsurumi Sega Europe Ltd.CEO: Naoya Tsurumi Physical ScansPlayStation 2 Version
PC Version
ArtworkExternal Links
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